Things are looking up in Detroit!
 

Hi everyone, Read and smile.

on
CES 2012: Element Electronics will make TVs in the U.S.
Jan 12, 2012 11:30 AM

Element, a value-priced TV brand you may have noticed during promotional selling times such as Black Friday, is doing something few other TV manufacturers would dare: It's going to start making its televisions in the U.S.

The company also announced at CES that the new TVs will sport premium sound systems from JBL as part of a deal with Harman, JBL's parent company.

Starting in March, the company will start cranking out TVs from a new flat-screen facility in Detroit, Michigan, making it the only company currently assembling TVs in the United States. While everyone assumes that labor costs here make that prohibitively expensive, Element Electronics is gambling that by shortening the supply chain—the time and cost of bringing fully assembled TVs to the U.S. from China or other offshore factories and suppliers—it can remain cost-competitive while being able to react faster to changing market conditions here in the States.

But there's also a little patriotic pride in being able to bring work to the U.S. while many other manufacturing-type jobs leave the country, says Element Electronics president Mike O'Shaughnessy, who believes that global economic trends will make American production more viable over time.

The company says it can produce larger-sized LCD TVs, including those with LED backlights, here in the States for about the same price as those made in China. The company will focus on LCD TVs in the 46-, 50-, 65-, and 70-inch screen sizes, with a mix of both CCFL and LED backlights. TV features will include 120/240Hz anti-blur technology, 3D, and Internet capability.

The JBL by Harmon partnership will result in a co-branded TV line with integrated soundbar-style premium sound systems that use JBL drivers designed to create big sound from smaller speakers, the company says.

Element TVs are currently available in storefront retailers such as Target, Walmart ,and Costco retail, as well as through some online retailers and via QVC.

—James K. Willcox
Next Steps

Re: Things are looking up in Detroit!
 

That does sound good.

Re: Things are looking up in Detroit!
 

I bought an off-brand (Proscan) TV for my bedroom. Luckily, it broke after 2 weeks, well within warranty.

I wont be doing that again, even if they are hand-crafted by the ghost of Abraham Lincoln.

Re: Things are looking up in Detroit!
 

#1, Element TVs are just re-branded low end RCA TVs.
#2, Around here we say RCA stands for Really Crappy Appliance.
#3, They are still being manufactured in china, they are just assembling them here to avoid tariffs...

Better then nothing I suppose.

Re: Things are looking up in Detroit!
 

I agree, if it gives people jobs that could be a help

Re: Things are looking up in Detroit!
 

it's good that they are making them here but the guts will still be made in china.

Re: Things are looking up in Detroit!
 

Agree. Baby steps folks.

I'm all for buying american. (except cars b/c they are $hit) :lol:

I dunno, man. I've been really impressed with Ford lately.

My buddy has a 2011 Harley F-150 which is fantastic, and then there's my mom's '08 Escape Hybrid which is somehow better in the snow than my SVX (thoughtobehonesttheSVXhasneverhadstuddedtires), a bit plasticy but still fantastic.

Also the fully loaded Volt I looked at is comparable to the F-150 interior.

All these are in the +40k range though, and I haven't really looked at anything else except Subarus and a 2011 Prius which won't get any praise from me here. They were ok.

Re: Things are looking up in Detroit!
 

YEA when I read the Assembled in the USA I thought the same thing , all the pars come in a box from China and are put together . In 1994 I took a tour of the Subaru assembly plant in Lafayette,Ind. (yes private tour and even ate lunch with the assemblers in the CAF. ) I saw the press that stamped the hoods doors and fenders. ( Largest piece of equipment to go down the St Laurence Sea Way at the time ), saw the auto spray booth and the watched them test the cars. I have a list of the suppliers, most are from the Ind area. So Subaru is an American made Car , except for the drive train . At that time ,1994, only 65 cars a day .

Heh, that's one of the reasons I refuse to get rid of the SVX.